A free smartphone application created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) makes it easier for behavioral health responders to focus on disaster survivors by providing them quick access to resources for getting help.

The SAMHSA Disaster App was designed to meet the needs of disaster responders. It was developed with input from experts from across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the American Red Cross, and state health departments. The app is available for iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry users.

which is a go-to resource for disaster response information. Since the kit’s launch in 2010, more than 56,000 copies have been shipped nationwide. The mobile application allows ready access to the kit’s content, reduces printing and shipping costs, and literally lightens a responder’s load by eliminating paper materials.

“The app has been very helpful for behavioral health responders out in the field who need to share information with survivors,” said Elizabeth Whipkey, a crisis counselor in

Oologah, Oklahoma. “Survivors need to be able to access resources electronically—especially when they have no place left to store paper. Now, the information they need is right at their fingertips when they need it.”

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.